Identification
Physical Characteristics
Size: Females are the larger sex, with a body length of up to 14mm. The smaller males are much more slender, typically measuring only 5-6mm.
Coloration: The defining feature is the abdomen's dorsal pattern. It features a stunning, glossy shield-like marking that is highly variable in colour. It can be a combination of cream, yellow, orange, red, and black, often outlined in white or black, giving it an 'enamelled' or painted look. The cephalothorax (head region) is typically reddish-brown to dark brown, as are the legs, which often have darker bands or rings.
Key Features: The single most distinguishing feature is the brightly coloured, glossy, enamel-like pattern on the female's abdomen. No other common Australian spider has this specific appearance. Its classic orb web, which is often taken down during the day, is another key identifier.
Biology & Lifecycle
Development & Reproduction
Reproduction Rate: A female can produce several egg sacs in a season, contributing to a rapid population increase under favourable conditions.
Lifecycle Details
Egg Stage
After mating, the female Enamelled Spider produces one or more fluffy, silk egg sacs. These are typically light green or yellowish in colour and are not spherical, but rather a somewhat messy, woolly bundle of silk. She will attach these sacs to foliage or bark, often near her web but in a concealed location away from direct sunlight and predators. Each sac can contain over one hundred eggs. The female does not guard the sacs after they are laid. The eggs develop for several weeks, with the incubation period influenced by ambient temperature and humidity.
Larval Stage
Upon hatching, the tiny spiderlings (there is no larval stage) remain clustered together for a short time, sometimes within the remnants of the egg sac. They are almost translucent and lack the colour of the adults. During this early phase, they subsist on remaining yolk reserves.
Pupal Stage
There is no pupal stage in the spider lifecycle. After their first moult, the spiderlings become more mobile and begin to disperse. This is often achieved through a process called 'ballooning', where they release a strand of silk into the air and are carried away by the wind. This allows them to colonise new areas and avoid competing with their siblings. Once they land, they begin to build their own tiny orb webs to capture small prey.
Adult Stage
The spider matures into an adult over several months, moulting multiple times as it grows. The lifespan of an Enamelled Spider is typically about one year. Once mature, the much larger females will focus on building large webs, catching food, and reproduction. The tiny, inconspicuous males will stop building webs and wander in search of females, a perilous journey as they risk being eaten by predators or even the females they are trying to court.
Reproduction Rate
A female can produce several egg sacs in a season, contributing to a rapid population increase under favourable conditions.
Generations Per Year
Typically, there is one generation per year. The adults that mature and mate in late summer and autumn will produce eggs that overwinter, with the new generation emerging in the spring.
Development Time
The complete development from egg to adult takes most of the year. Spiderlings that emerge in spring will grow through summer and mature by autumn.
Seasonal Cycle
They are most prominent from summer through to late autumn. This is when the adult females are at their largest and their webs are most conspicuous. They are rarely seen during winter.
Environmental Factors
The availability of suitable anchor points for their large webs (e.g., shrubs, trees, house eaves) and a healthy population of flying insects are the most critical environmental factors for their success.
Habitat & Distribution
Preferred Habitats
- Suburban gardens and parks.
- Woodlands and forests, especially along clearings and edges.
- Shrubbery, bushes, and trees with dense foliage.
- Around human structures like pergolas, verandahs, and window frames.
- Any area with sufficient anchor points for a web and a supply of nocturnal insects.
Distribution Patterns
Australian Distribution
Widespread along the eastern coast of Australia, from Queensland, through New South Wales and Victoria, and into parts of South Australia and Tasmania.
Climate Zones
- Subtropical
- Temperate
- Mediterranean
Urban vs Rural Distribution
Very common in urban and suburban areas. The mix of garden plants, structures, and night lighting (which attracts insects) in suburbs creates a perfect habitat for them.
Native Range
Native to Australia.
Introduced Range
Not known to be established outside of Australia.
Introduction History
A native Australian species.
Current Spread
The species is stable and common within its natural range.
Limiting Factors
Its distribution is limited by arid conditions, as it requires some humidity. It is absent from the dry inland regions of Australia.
Behavior & Diet
Activity Pattern
The Enamelled Spider is primarily nocturnal. It typically constructs its large, intricate orb web in the evening. It will then sit in the centre of the web, or on a retreat line connected to it, throughout the night, waiting for prey. Just before dawn, it is common for the spider to dismantle and consume most of its web, recycling the proteins to build a new one the following evening. During the day, it hides in nearby foliage.
Dietary Preferences
Feeding Habits
It is an insectivore that feeds exclusively on insects capable of flight.
Health Risks
Always consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns related to pest exposure.
Disease Transmission
- No evidence of any disease transmission.
- Not a known vector for any pathogens.
- The only health risk is from the bite itself, which is extremely rare and minor.
- No risk of bacterial, viral, or parasitic transmission.
Allergens and Respiratory Issues
No specific allergens are documented. A person with a general allergy to insect or spider venom might have a slightly stronger local reaction.
Contamination Risk
Zero risk. It is a clean, web-bound spider that does not come into contact with food or food surfaces.
Vulnerable Populations
- There are no specific vulnerable populations, as the spider is not dangerous.
- Individuals who are highly phobic of spiders may experience anxiety.
- Gardeners may come into contact with them while pruning.
- Anyone walking through a garden at night may walk into a web.
Symptoms of Exposure
- A bite is highly unlikely. If it were to occur, it would likely result in only mild, localised pain.
- A small red mark or minor swelling may occur at the site.
- Symptoms would be transient, lasting from a few minutes to an hour.
- No serious or systemic effects have ever been recorded.
- It is far less painful than a bee or wasp sting.
Transmission Methods
- A bite is the only, and extremely improbable, method of venom transmission.
- The spider must be physically held and squeezed against the skin to be induced to bite.
Risk Severity
Low. This spider is considered harmless to humans.
Economic Impact
Treatment Costs
Professional Treatment
Professional treatment is not recommended or necessary for this species. Management is best done through non-chemical means. A general spider spray ($220-$450) would kill them, but it's overkill.
Prevention Costs
$10-$30 for a broom or brush to manage webs.
Diy Treatment
Not applicable. DIY pesticides are not needed.
Property Damage
Structural Damage
None. Their webs cause no damage.
Garden Damage
None. They are beneficial to garden health.
Food Contamination
None.
Equipment Damage
None.
Business Impact
Restaurant Issues
May build webs on outdoor dining furniture, which can be a minor nuisance to staff and patrons, requiring daily clearing.
Retail Impact
None.
Reputation Damage
For hospitality businesses, large webs around entrances or outdoor areas could be seen as a sign of poor maintenance if not regularly cleared.
Operational Disruption
Minimal. Simply the time cost of clearing webs.
Agricultural Impact
Crop Damage
None.
Yield Loss
None.
Beneficial Aspects
Highly beneficial. They are significant predators of agricultural and garden pests, including moths whose larvae damage crops, and flies and mosquitoes that can be a nuisance to livestock. They provide a free, natural pest control service.
Economic Loss
None. They provide a net economic benefit.
Indirect Costs
Healthcare Costs
Effectively zero. Bites are so rare and trivial that they do not represent a cost to the healthcare system.
Cleanup Costs
The minor labour cost of physically removing webs from unwanted locations.
Replacement Costs
None.
Preventive Maintenance
The ongoing activity of checking for and clearing webs from pathways and doorways.
Detection & Signs
Visual Signs
- The most obvious sign is the presence of large, complete orb webs at night, especially across walkways, between plants, or from eaves to the ground.
- Finding the spider itself, with its colourful abdomen, sitting in the middle of the web.
- Noticing that large webs present in the evening have vanished by the next morning.
- Finding the fluffy, greenish egg sacs attached to leaves or bark.
- Walking into a fine, sticky silk thread, which is often the first anchor line of a new web being built.
Physical Evidence
- The webs themselves are the primary evidence.
- The greenish, woolly egg sacs.
- Remains of prey: small, silk-wrapped parcels of dead insects in or near the web.
- The spider itself, hiding in foliage during the day near where a web was present.
- Fine strands of silk drifting in the air or attached to structures.
Behavioral Signs
- Observing the spider actively building or taking down its web during dusk or dawn.
- Seeing the spider rush out to capture an insect that has flown into the web.
- If disturbed, the spider may drop from the web on a silk line to hide.
- The spider may shake its web vigorously if it feels threatened.
Seasonal Indicators
- A sudden appearance of many large webs in summer indicates the population is reaching maturity.
- Webs become most numerous and noticeable from mid-summer to late autumn.
- The spiders and their webs disappear with the onset of cold winter weather.
- Tiny, jewel-like spiderlings may be seen in spring and early summer.
Early Warning Signals
- Finding a few small, imperfect orb webs can indicate juveniles are present and growing.
- An increase in the number of flying insects like moths and mosquitoes around outdoor lights will attract these spiders.
- Finding a single web is a sign that the habitat is suitable and more are likely to appear.
- Seeing a neighbour's yard full of webs is a good sign they will soon be in yours.
Prevention
Sanitation Measures
- The main 'sanitation' measure is simply to remove webs from unwanted locations.
- Use a soft broom or a brush with a long handle to gently take down webs from doorways, windows, and paths.
- Check outdoor furniture and play equipment for webs before use.
- This should be done in the morning after the spider has retreated, to avoid harming it.
- Reducing clutter in the garden can limit daytime hiding spots.
Exclusion Methods
- Exclusion is not typically aimed at the spider, but at the insects it eats.
- Turn off outdoor lights when not needed to avoid attracting moths and other nocturnal insects, which are the spiders' primary food source.
- Use yellow 'bug light' bulbs, which are less attractive to insects.
- Ensure insect screens on windows and doors are in good repair to keep the prey (and spiders) out of the house.
- Physically blocking off a specific area, like a balcony corner, with netting can prevent web building.
Landscaping Tips
- Regularly prune shrubs and trees, especially those near walkways and entrances, to reduce the number of suitable anchor points for webs.
- Create a clear space between tall plants and the walls of the house.
- Consider plant selection. Spiders have fewer anchor points in gardens with mostly low-growing ground covers compared to dense, bushy shrubs.
- If you enjoy their presence but not their placement, leave some areas of the garden 'wild' and unpruned to encourage them to build there instead.
- Be mindful when watering, as you may dislodge a hiding spider.
Monitoring Strategies
- The best monitoring strategy is a simple nightly walk around the property with a torch.
- The webs are highly reflective and easy to spot with a light source.
- This allows you to identify problem locations where webs are consistently being built.
- Check common spots like between the car mirror and window, or across outdoor stair railings.
- Early detection of a web being built allows for its removal before it becomes a sticky trap.
Environmental Modification
- The primary modification is altering lighting to reduce insect attraction. This is the most effective preventative measure.
- Altering the physical structure of the garden by pruning and creating clear zones.
- Directing sprinklers away from areas where you don't want webs, as some spiders are attracted to moisture.
- Encouraging natural predators of spiders, such as birds, by providing bird baths and native plants.
- Accepting them as part of the ecosystem is the easiest environmental modification. Their presence is temporary and beneficial.
Control Methods
Professional Treatment Methods
Chemical Control
Chemical treatment is strongly discouraged and unnecessary for this harmless and beneficial species. A general perimeter spray for other pests would kill them, but they should not be the target.
Biological Control
No commercial biological controls are available or needed. Natural predators like birds and parasitic wasps already help control their numbers.
Physical Control
The best 'treatment' is physical, manual removal of the web. This is effective, free, and non-toxic. The spider will usually just relocate to a more suitable spot.
Integrated Approach
The best Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for this spider is tolerance combined with physical management. Appreciate their pest-control benefits while managing nuisance webs with a broom. This costs nothing and protects the local ecosystem.
DIY Treatment Options
Natural Remedies
The 'Broom and Brush' method is the ultimate natural remedy. No sprays or chemicals are needed. Some people suggest spraying plants with essential oils like peppermint or citrus, but their effectiveness is unproven and may harm the plants or beneficial insects.
Home Made Traps
Not applicable. Traps are not necessary for a web-bound spider that is not an indoor pest.
Deterrent Methods
The most effective deterrent is to make the environment unsuitable for webs by pruning plants and reducing outdoor lighting.
Mechanical Control
If relocation is desired, the spider can often be coaxed onto a twig or into a jar and moved to a different part of the garden. Gently dismantling the web each morning will encourage it to move on.
Treatment Effectiveness
Success Rate
Manual web removal has a 100% success rate for removing the nuisance web. The spider may rebuild nearby, but consistent removal will persuade it to find a new location.
Timeframe
Immediate. The web is gone as soon as it's brushed away.
Follow Up Required
Daily or weekly checks may be needed during the peak summer/autumn season if you want to keep a specific area completely web-free.
Seasonal Considerations
Web management is only necessary during the warmer months when the spiders are active.
Application Techniques
- The 'sweeping' application of a soft broom to gently detach the web's anchor points.
- A 'jet' of water from a hose can also effectively destroy a web, though this may harm the spider.
- The 'capture and release' technique using a jar and piece of paper for relocation.
- Strategic pruning of branches to remove web anchors.
Professional Services
Professional Treatment Services
Chemical Control
Chemical treatment is strongly discouraged and unnecessary for this harmless and beneficial species. A general perimeter spray for other pests would kill them, but they should not be the target.
Biological Control
No commercial biological controls are available or needed. Natural predators like birds and parasitic wasps already help control their numbers.
Physical Control
The best 'treatment' is physical, manual removal of the web. This is effective, free, and non-toxic. The spider will usually just relocate to a more suitable spot.
Integrated Approach
The best Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for this spider is tolerance combined with physical management. Appreciate their pest-control benefits while managing nuisance webs with a broom. This costs nothing and protects the local ecosystem.
Professional Treatment Costs
Professional treatment is not recommended or necessary for this species. Management is best done through non-chemical means. A general spider spray ($220-$450) would kill them, but it's overkill.
Treatment Success Rates
Manual web removal has a 100% success rate for removing the nuisance web. The spider may rebuild nearby, but consistent removal will persuade it to find a new location.
Treatment Timeframe
Immediate. The web is gone as soon as it's brushed away.
No Featured Providers Available
We're currently updating our featured provider listings for Enamelled Spider control.
Browse All ProvidersSeasonal Patterns
Spring Activity
Spiderlings hatch from overwintered egg sacs and begin to disperse. Small webs from juvenile spiders start to appear in foliage.
Summer Activity
This is the peak season. Spiders grow rapidly, reaching maturity. Large, impressive orb webs are constructed every night. This is when they are most conspicuous and beneficial, catching large numbers of mosquitoes and moths.
Autumn Activity
Adult females are at their largest size. Mating occurs, and females produce their green, fluffy egg sacs. Web-building continues until the weather cools significantly.
Winter Activity
The adult spiders die off. The species survives the winter as eggs protected within the silk sacs. No webs are seen during the coldest months.
Breeding Season
Breeding occurs in late summer and autumn.
Peak Activity Period
'Infestation' is not the right term, but their presence is most heavily felt in mid-to-late summer and early autumn when the adult females and their large webs are at their peak.
Environmental Factors
Temperature Effects
Warm temperatures are essential for activity, growth, and the availability of insect prey. Activity ceases with the first major cold snaps of winter.
Humidity Effects
High humidity helps keep the sticky capture silk of the web effective and is generally preferred by the spider.
Photoperiod Effects
The decreasing day length of late summer and autumn is a likely trigger for mating and egg-laying behaviour.
Weather Patterns
Warm, calm nights are optimal for web-building. Strong winds and heavy rain can destroy webs and inhibit activity.
Legal Considerations
Pest Status
Not considered a pest in any official capacity. It is a common native species. Any 'pest' status is based purely on the nuisance placement of its webs by homeowners.
Control Regulations
No specific regulations apply. General guidelines for pesticide use would apply if they were used, but chemical control is not recommended.
Professional Requirements
No license is required to manage them with non-chemical methods. A pest control license is required for any professional chemical treatment.
Environmental Considerations
This spider is a valuable part of the urban and natural ecosystem. Its conservation is beneficial. The use of broad-spectrum insecticides in gardens should be avoided as it will kill these helpful predators and other non-target species.
Compliance Requirements
- No specific compliance is needed for this species.
- Promoting its presence is environmentally responsible.
- Homeowners should be encouraged to use non-chemical management.
- Adherence to pesticide labels if chemicals are used for other pests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Enamelled Spider dangerous? Its colours look like a warning.
This is a common and understandable concern. In the animal kingdom, bright colours often signal danger (a phenomenon called aposematism). However, in the case of the Enamelled Spider, this is not true. It is considered completely harmless to humans. Its venom is mild and specialised for subduing small flying insects, not mammals. Furthermore, its fangs are tiny and not designed to pierce human skin. A bite from one is incredibly rare and would only happen if the spider were roughly handled and pressed against the skin. Even then, the resulting symptom would likely be nothing more than a tiny, brief pinprick sensation with no lasting effect. The vibrant colours are thought to serve as camouflage to blend in with flowers or as a 'startle' display for predators like birds, rather than as a warning of potent venom. You can safely admire this beautiful spider without any fear of danger.
Why do these spiders build their webs across my walkway every night?
The placement of an orb web is all about structural engineering and catching prey. A walkway, doorway, or the space between a plant and your house often provides the perfect combination of factors for an Enamelled Spider. These spaces typically have ideal anchor points and are open 'flight paths' for nocturnal insects like moths and mosquitoes, which are attracted to house lights. The spider is simply building its trap in the most logical, high-traffic area for its food. It has no awareness of human pathways. Because many of these spiders, including *Plebs bradleyi*, rebuild their web every single night, you might clear a web in the morning only to find a new one in the exact same spot that evening. The spider has identified it as a prime hunting location and will continue to use it until it is encouraged to move on.
What is the best way to get rid of an Enamelled Spider web?
The best method is the simplest, cheapest, and most environmentally friendly: manual removal. There is absolutely no need for chemical sprays. All you need is a soft broom, a long-handled brush, or even a stick. The best time to do this is in the morning, after the spider has had its night of catching pests but before you need to use the path. Simply sweep the web away, trying to detach its main anchor points. This will destroy the web for the day. The spider itself usually hides in nearby foliage during the day and is unlikely to be harmed. If you are consistent and remove the web from the same 'problem spot' for a few days in a row, the spider will likely get the message that it is a poor location and move elsewhere in your garden. This approach removes the nuisance without killing a beneficial creature.
I found a weird, fluffy green ball on a leaf. Is it from this spider?
Yes, it very likely is. The egg sacs of the Enamelled Spider are quite distinctive. Unlike the smooth, round egg sacs of some other spiders, those of *Plebs bradleyi* are often described as messy, fluffy, or woolly bundles of silk. Their colour is typically a pale, camouflage green or sometimes yellowish-green. The female constructs these and attaches them to the underside of leaves or strips of bark, usually in a sheltered spot close to where she builds her web. She will lay her eggs inside and then seal it all up. Each of these sacs can contain a hundred or more future spiderlings. If you find one, it's a sign of a healthy, breeding population in your garden. It's best to leave the egg sac undisturbed to allow the next generation of pest-controllers to emerge in spring.
Should I kill Enamelled Spiders in my garden?
No, you absolutely should not. Killing these spiders is counterproductive to having a healthy, balanced garden ecosystem. Enamelled Spiders are not a threat to you, your family, or your pets. They are, however, a significant threat to a wide range of pest insects. A single Enamelled Spider can consume dozens of mosquitoes, flies, and moths in a single night. A garden with a healthy population of these orb-weavers will have noticeably fewer flying pests. Using a broad-spectrum insecticide to kill them would not only eliminate these free pest controllers but also likely harm other beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs. The most responsible and effective approach is one of tolerance and management. Let them live and control pests in your garden, and simply use a broom to manage the occasional web that gets built in an inconvenient location. They are truly one of the 'good guys' of the spider world.
Get Expert Help with Enamelled Spider Control
Need professional assistance with Enamelled Spider identification or control? Our network of certified pest control experts can provide tailored solutions for your specific situation.
Why Choose Professional Help?
- Accurate Enamelled Spider identification
- Safe and effective treatment methods
- Customized control strategies
- Licensed and insured technicians
- Ongoing prevention advice
Emergency Response
24/7 availability for urgent spider issues
Expert Consultation
Free quotes and professional assessment
Guaranteed Results
Licensed professionals with proven track record
Image Gallery
Images of Enamelled Spider showing key identifying features: